VOLUNTEERS Spotlight of the week Children with...

January 05, 2009

VOLUNTEERSSpotlight of the week Children with mentors are: 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol, 53 percent less likely to skip school and 33 percent less likely to engage in violence. Isn't it amazing that one hour of your time a week can make such a difference? During National Mentoring Month, why not consider mentoring? The Volunteer Center will be sponsoring two trainings/informational sessions in January and will be scheduling additional ones throughout the year. Call (269) 983-0912 or (269) 683-5464 for more information on dates and locations or to put your name on a list to schedule one near you. Adults Recycling is something everyone can do to help conserve natural resources. You can help teach fifth-grade students about what can be recycled and why recycling is important on April 22 and 23 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. You have plenty of time to review the outline and activities provided by Berrien County Resource Recovery in preparation for Earth Day activities at the Berrien County Youth Fair Grounds in Berrien Springs. -Do you know family, friends and neighbors who are struggling to live independently in their own homes? Senior Volunteer and Intergenerational Programs has openings for its Family Friends Program. You would be matched with an older adult or someone with disabilities. As a volunteer you would visit them, play cards, take them to lunch, run errands, take them shopping ... in other words be a friend. Volunteers in this program must be older than age 50 and have transportation. -Do you wish you had adopted a family over the holidays, contributed to Toys for Tots, served a holiday dinner at the homeless shelter or given food to the local food bank? You are in luck because you can still do all those things 365 days a year. Food banks need their shelves restocked, families face hard economic times and volunteers are needed all year long. Whether you are looking for a one-time event to give a few hours to, a regular volunteer commitment or someplace to donate to, the Volunteer Center can be your connection. -Parents with children at the Juvenile Center must attend Wednesday evening parenting classes from 6 to 9 p.m. to work toward reunification of the child and the family. Some parents need transportation from the Niles area to the classes in Berrien Springs. As a Berrien County Trial Court -- Family Division volunteer, you must have a driver's license, a good driving record and vehicle insurance. -Do you enjoy art and meeting new people? As a receptionist at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph you will meet and greet the public and direct them during their visit to a wonderful art facility. You also will assist them with purchases from the unique gift shop. Time slots are available every day of the week so there is bound to be one to fit your schedule. The Box Factory is a multiuse facility of the Berrien Artist Guild and provides an outstanding place to practice and celebrate the arts. -As families struggle during these hard economic times, domestic violence is on the rise. You can be part of the solution by volunteering as a crisis line operator for Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services. You will provide telephone crisis intervention, support and information to domestic violence survivors. You should have empathetic listening skills, and be ready to respond to emergency situations over the phone. You also need the ability to deliver services in a nonjudgmental manner. Extensive training is provided and a criminal background check is required. -The Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross will have a blood drive Saturday at River Valley Senior Center, 13321 Red Arrow Highway, Harbert, from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The Michigan Community Blood Center will have drives Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran School, 9650 N. Church St., Bridgman, from 3 to 7 p.m., and Friday at the Eau Claire Community Church, 6706 E. Main St., from 2 to 7 p.m. Adults and youthLakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph is opening up its new surgical tower. Families waiting for loved ones to come out of surgery really appreciate the sympathetic volunteers who act as a liaison to surgery personnel. This weekday position, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., requires an orientation and training. Volunteers should be older than 15.